NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



689 



dew." The spray is best applied soon after a shower has washed off some 

 of the honey- dew.— F. J. C. 



Pea Spot, Ascochyta pisi (Journ. Hort. August 13, 1903, p. 157). 

 — A life-size illustration of this pest growing on Sweet Peas. The 

 remedy is spraying with sulphide of potash of the usual strength of two 

 ounces to three gallons of water. — C. W. D. 



Perfumes (Journ. Hort. May 14, 1903, p. 423).— Obtaining these 

 from flowers by distillation is a very ancient art, but chemistry produces 

 many imitations, some of which are so similar to the real essence and so 

 cheap as to have driven the true article out of the market. — C. W. D. 



Phaius Chapmani superbus (Gard. Mag. No. 2601, p. 593; 

 5/9/03).- — An illustration and descriptive note on a very beautiful new 

 hybrid between P. Humbloti and P. ' Phoebe.' It is undoubtedly one of 

 the finest hybrids yet raised. — W. G. 



Phaius Hybrid and Calanthes. By H. G. Chapman (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 861, p. 411, fig. 159, and supplement ; June 27, 1903).— Hybrids of 

 the genus Phaius are by no means difficult to cultivate. They are of the 

 greatest use in the spring for decorative purposes, and may be kept in a 

 room which is not lighted by gas for six or eight weeks without injury. 

 The names of the best hybrids are given, and full instructions as to their 

 culture, &c. The best hybrid Calanthes are mentioned, and their useful- 

 ness for table decoration commented on. One difficulty in their cultiva- 

 tion appears to be the impossibility of preventing the foliage from 

 " spotting," the cause of which is not known. — G. S. S. 



Phosphate Manures. By H. H. Cousins (Bull Dep. Agr. Jam. 

 vol. i., pts. 6, 7, p. 127). — The author observes that he has always 

 advocated the avoidance of " complete fertilisers" instead of the usage of 

 " special ingredients " ; because there are three types of phosphatic 

 fertilisers, and each is peculiarly suited to a particular type of soil : e.g. 

 basic slag is often absolutely inoperative on calcareous soils, while super- 

 phosphate may result in detriment to the crop if applied to soils deficient 

 in carbonate of lime. 



The author supplies a table cf proportions of phosphoric acid in four 

 fertilisers, viz. two of basic slag, one of basic superphosphate, and a mixed 

 phosphate. This is followed by observations upon them. — G. H. 



Phosphoric Acid and Wine. By G. Paturel (Ann. Agr. p. 5 ; Jan. 

 1902). — Although only 7 to 15 kilos of phosphoric acid per hectare are 

 taken up by the plant and only 3 kilos is present in the wine, nevertheless 

 the best wines are found to contain the largest amount of phosphoric acid. 



C. H. H. 



PiCOtee, The. By James Douglas, V.M.H. (Gard. p. 379, 28/11/ 

 03 ; p. 393, 5/12/03). — There is really no difference between a Carnation 

 and a Picotee except in the colour of the flowers. Both have descended 

 from Dianthus Caryophyllus, a plant which not many years ago was to 

 be found growing, presumably wild, on the walls of Eochester Castle. 



